Photographic memories from Las Vegas

[Garnet Rose]

This is going to take awhile... I got 4 rolls of film developed today and there's still a 5th roll in the camera.

[Garnet Rose]

Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?
Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Hugh Fennyman: How?
Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.

[Garnet Rose]

I know many of you were planning and preparing for the convention all year long. I arrived somewhat late (Just prior to the big crash :ruff ) and had to do a lot of catching up. Things did not always progress smoothly and for some things (namely the ruffler) there was a very steep learning curve. I was still sewing ruffles down to the wire. I even took my sewing machine to Palm Springs with us over Thanksgiving week. I wondered how we could possibly have a good enough time at the convention to justify the time, effort, and expense. :sailor

[Kid Sopris]

Rose, I never saw you without a smile the whole weekend, so you must have had a good time!!!!

[Garnet Rose]

We packed our clothes into seven plastic crates and one plastic bag full of hoopskirt. Popped Dave Bourne (http://www.drewdaniels.com/saloonpiano.htm) CD's into the player and headed to Vegas.:pony

[Garnet Rose]

When we arrived at the Riviera, they weren't quite ready for so many conventioneers. We had to wait quite some time for a bellman to come out. While Calico waited for the bellman, I registered with the hotel.

[Garnet Rose]

Rose, I never saw you without a smile the whole weekend, so you must have had a good time!!!!

Kid, You're getting ahead of the story! :kid :sop :ris

[Garnet Rose]

Riviera Hotel

[Garnet Rose]

Classic Las Vegas

[Garnet Rose]

While Calico waited for the bellman, I went and registered with SASS. They had misspelled Fourth on my badge.

[Garnet Rose]

They had misspelled Calico's alias. I asked if it could be corrected at this point and got the biggest kick out of the SASS host assuring me that it was a one-of-a-kind souvenir because they wouldn't misspell it the same way next year! :-D

[Garnet Rose]

At last we won the bellman lottery and Calico went to park the car while I chased the bellman through the lobby. As we passed the Splash Bar, I overheard someone say, "She must be a vendor!" LOL (Note: this is foreshadowing. Wait'll we get to the departure)

[Pretty Mean Shawme]

Oh Garnet Rose, you are such a treasure! I cannot wait for the rest of the story.

I'll have to read it tomorrow, I've been up about 36 hours now, I have my limits!

[Garnet Rose]

When we got to our room we found that our view of the famous Las Vegas Strip was actually a view of the humongous air conditioning duct system (this pic is still in the camera), there was no remote control for the TV, and the shower had no hot water.

To quote from Groundhog Day (1993)

Phil: "Did you know there's no hot water?"
Mrs. Lancaster (B&B hostess): "Oh, there wouldn't be today."

As things turned out we were having way too much fun to look out the window or to watch any TV and they must have turned on all the boilers because by Friday night there was hot water in the shower.

[Allie Mo]

Hi Garnet Rose,

My badge had fourth misspelled also. It just added to the jokin'.

I sure hope that you don't have any evidence of my not smiling every moment of the event. :eek: :scared :18

Thank you for waiting with me for my shuttle. That was so sweet of you and Calico.

I'm enjoying your Las Vegas saga and can't wait to read and see more of it.

Big Hugs,

Allie Mo
Who just noticed that she has mastered the art of creating one and two sentence paragraphs. :rolleyes:

[Garnet Rose]

We dressed for dinner and went down to the Splash Bar. I immediately recognized Allie Mo and she kindly introduced us to everyone else there.

[Garnet Rose]

Weren't those bacon-wrapped breadsticks yummy?

[Garnet Rose]

If any of you would like higher resolution copies of the group picture, please send me a Private Message with your email address, and I will attach them for you.

[Garnet Rose]

One last photo for tonight, but more to come tomorrow!

Belles, please remember that we need a ribbon roses class in the Academy!

[Garnet Rose]

I sure hope that you don't have any evidence of my not smiling every moment of the event. :eek: :scared :18



If I do, I'll try not to post them!

[Calico]

Note that Chiz was not even part of the dinner party. Just taking outrageous advantage of a photo op with the Belles.

(darn, wish I'd thought of that!) :pp

[Pretty Mean Shawme]

Note that Chiz was not even part of the dinner party. Just taking outrageous advantage of a photo op with the Belles.

(darn, wish I'd thought of that!) :pp

Also note that I told him to stand up straight right after this pict, and there was another one taken, but do you think we'll ever see that one?

And Rose (you are such a sweet heart!) I will try to get a ribbon rose class ASAP (funny women were the only ones that noticed the ribbon rose corsages)

Geesh I didn't remember that dress being so... so...

[Wallaby Jack]

"Geesh I didn't remember that dress being so... so..."......SPECTACULAR !!!!!!

(I think that would be the appropriate word...)

:fm

[Pretty Mean Shawme]

Thanks Wallaby, you're a sweetie.

Ya know I have a spectacular Pink and Black gown that I almost wore that night, it still has gone unworn. I guess I am ahead of the game for the next ball.

[Kid Sopris]

WHAT! There was a gown in those boxes I didnt See?

[Bulls Head Bill]

Note that Chiz was not even part of the dinner party. Just taking outrageous advantage of a photo op with the Belles.

(darn, wish I'd thought of that!) :pp

The Chiz might be an opportunist.............but he ain't STUPID!!!

I think he has that same picture for each of the SASS Conventions!!!!!

The Chiz ALWAYS gets his "Belle Picture" at the SASS Convention!

[Garnet Rose]

I've been up about 36 hours now, I have my limits!

I don't know how the Belles did it! Several times over the weekend Calico and I said to each other that we were glad we didn't have to keep up with you!

[Garnet Rose]

Thank you for waiting with me for my shuttle. That was so sweet of you and Calico.



It was our pleasure, Allie Mo. I'm sorry I didn't get a close up of the hat you wore to the Italian dinner. It was darling! Were you able to get the spaghetti sauce out of your overskirt?

[Garnet Rose]

Alli and Fannie were roomies and sometimes they sounded alot like an old married couple. Fannie kept correcting Alli when she was offering the toast before dinner. Alli turned to her and said, "Would you like to give the toast?"

Their accents are so marvelous. I haven't lived in the South since I was a little girl, but after a few days with them I found my Southern accent returning. A few times in their classes Alli translated for Fannie: "For those of you not from the South, that word was ..."

Catawba Kate was exceedingly gracious to Calico and me. She told him that she thought my posts on the Alley were witty. I thanked her later for phrasing it that way rather than calling me a smart aleck. (I used to say to my humorless ex-boss (who wrote in my performance review that I was a smart aleck), "If you think I'm a smart aleck now, you should hear the things I think and DON'T say!" Calico once offered to buy me a T-shirt to wear to work with the sentiment: "If I were to get smart with you, how would you know?")

[Garnet Rose]

I was unprepared to answer questions about our outfits. I hadn't memorized which patterns were used and where I got the fabric and accessories. For those who asked, Calico sewed his own cravat from Vogue Pattern 7644. His hat was The Gallant from Baron Hats (his early birthday present). His horseshoe stickpin was from River Junction (but the horseshoe arrived wrong way up where the luck could spill out. I had to bend it right way up because I didn't want his luck running out, especially in Vegas).

[Garnet Rose]

My changeable peacock silk fabric was from Banksville Designer Fabrics. My bodice was made from Truly Victorian pattern TV460 1885 Bustle Cuirass Bodice (modified). My skirt was made from TV201 1870's Underskirt.

[Garnet Rose]

The venise lace on the skirt was from Cheeptrims.

[Garnet Rose]

To quote Professor Harold Hill (The Music Man): "Oh, this is a refined operation, son, and I've got it timed down to the last wave of the brakeman's hand on the last train out of town."

There was SO MUCH to do at the convention, I'm glad I took the time to put our schedules into Outlook before we left. Just coordinating the two of us as spectators was a job, I can barely imagine what a daunting task it is to coordinate all of the Belles AND their wardrobes! AND their class materials!

There were a few last minute changes to the assigned rooms and times which almost all worked out well in the end. The teacher of the Mounted RO class was quite charming when I ended up in his class when I was aiming for Women's Shooting Techniques. When Calico was perusing the schedules, he drew the line at attending the Cowboy Karaoke. We had compromised on showing up long enough to see what the Belles were wearing, but that was the one scheduled item we couldn't actually locate.

[Garnet Rose]

My first class was the Perfect Shooting Costume with the Carolina Belles.

Alli pointed out that the schedule had only bolded the first part: The Perfect Shooting. She wanted to make sure we all knew we wouldn't be learning to shoot perfectly in this class.

[Garnet Rose]

Catawba Kate's advice for dressing to avoid burns was especially helpful to me.

[Garnet Rose]

I had a pretty good idea what to expect from hanging out on the Alley the past few months, but the other women attending the class were just blown away at the wealth of information the Belles had to impart.

[Garnet Rose]

Miss Devon Dawson (voice of Jessie the Yodelin' Cowgirl of Toy Story 2 fame) performed on the Royale Pavilion Stage along with Jess Meador - Texas Junior Champion Fiddler. It was delightful to get to meet her. We made it a point to get to more of her performances throughout the weekend. If you closed your eyes while Jess Meador was fiddlin' you'd have no idea at all that he was only 13 years old.

[Allie Mo]

It was our pleasure, Allie Mo. I'm sorry I didn't get a close up of the hat you wore to the Italian dinner. It was darling! Were you able to get the spaghetti sauce out of your overskirt?

Hi Garnet Rose,

Thank you for the compliment.

I just unpacked a few minutes ago. I got most of the sauce out of my ivory overskirt. I highly recommend Shout wipes. I'd had them so long, they were dried out. I moistened them with water and they worked fine.

Has anyone tried the Tide pen that they are advertising.

I agree you are witty. I can't wait to hear the rest of the story.

Regards,

Allie Mo

[Garnet Rose]

Miss Tabitha conducted a fashion show (Victorian Dressing from the Inside Out) with PMS as her model.

[Garnet Rose]

PMS in her wrapper and Miss Tabitha showing off the Opulent Victorian magazine.

[Garnet Rose]

The lovely PMS in her combination.

[Kid Sopris]

Shucks I knew I missed something!

[Garnet Rose]

The petticoat.

[Garnet Rose]

The corset lacing was especially entertaining. Miss Tabitha first braced with her knee and pulled. Then she had to take off her hat and pressed her head into Shawn's back and pulled some more.

[Garnet Rose]

I was amazed she hadn't fainted yet.

[Garnet Rose]

I was laughing so hard, I'm surprised that all of the pictures aren't totally blurry.

[Garnet Rose]

Miss Tabitha explained why it was so important for gentlemen to pick up any items that a lady might drop (mostly because she couldn't bend over when laced into her corset).

[Garnet Rose]

Do Not Bend

[Garnet Rose]

She also gave us some lessons in the fan flirtation code. When I told Calico about these lessons. He said, "There's a code? Did the GUYS know? Guys are always so clueless." Later on at the Saloon dance, he retrieved a reticule for a woman who had dropped it. Then he asked me, "Okay, how many cues did I miss there?"

[Garnet Rose]

Calico was very good about playing lady's maid all weekend. He says he understands now why Victorian women couldn't dress themselves.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Dang, no wolf whistle:re :sailor :ty :ty :ty

[Garnet Rose]

Calico joined me later on for Victorian Dance Lessons with Miss Tabitha in the Grande Ballroom. Now I understand how the Belles must feel to be too busy DOING to get any pictures. I don't have any pictures of the lessons because we were too busy just plain enjoying them. We had such a good time at the first set of lessons, that I played hookey from my afternoon class the following day so we could participate in the second set.

[Garnet Rose]

Isn't she lovely?

[Garnet Rose]

Absolutely stunning!

[Kid Sopris]

Why she certainly is!!!!:ty :ty :ty :ty

[Garnet Rose]

My 200th post and I've finally arrived? Livermush Buck has been so kind as to officially dub me a Bad Influence! I'm both pleased and proud!

[Garnet Rose]

From any angle, too. Calico was in a class while the fashion show was taking place, but later on we were walking behind PMS and he pointed her out to me and said what an amazing outfit it was.

[Lizzie Marie]

Garnet Rose it was a delight to meet you and your "memoirs" from convention are great.....:ty

[Garnet Rose]

Thank you, Lizzie Marie! :ty No one's begged me to stop yet, so on we go!

[Garnet Rose]

stays in Vegas?

[Garnet Rose]

I couldn't have written it a week ahead of time... I was simply amazed at how much fun we had.

[Garnet Rose]

Dave Bourne on Western Piano

[Garnet Rose]

Dave Bourne is absolutely amazing! His fingers apparently know what they're doing because I saw him talk to someone while he continued to play. I learned to play the piano as an adult and I haven't managed to memorize any pieces. I *always* need the sheet music and I can't play by ear at all.

I got the chance later on to tell him how much I enjoyed his playing. I expected him to be in a hurry, but he stayed to chat for a bit. A very charming and talented man.

[Garnet Rose]

It was a lot of fun wandering around with so many folks dressed up like cowboys or in old-fashioned clothing. Standing in line for breakfast, the woman behind me asked to see how I ruched up the skirt to accommodate my bustle. I had purchased my calico skirt from Recollections.biz and they had very cleverly sewn ribbons periodically at the seams, so that when I tied them together they went over a bustle, or I could have left them untied and had a train. Calico struck up a conversation with her husband and they joined us for breakfast.

[Garnet Rose]

The wife of the couple BEHIND the couple behind us was wearing an outfit in a different style but the same fabric as mine. She had purchased hers at Wild West Mercantile. Later on at the dance lessons we ended up in the same square with them. Naturally, our matching dresses drew Miss Tabitha's eye and we were called upon to demonstrate some of the steps. She thought we had all come together when we had never met before.

[Garnet Rose]

The Belles in the convention hall.

[Garnet Rose]

Catawba Kate pointed out many of the different vendors there in the hall and graciously invited me to come shopping with the Belles. They were all charming and courteous the entire time I spent with them even though they could hardly travel two feet at a time without interruption from fans and paparazzi (and yes, we don't exclude ourselves ;-) They made us feel very welcomed)

[More Ammo]

Garnet Rose, I want to compliement you on this wonderful story. Really enjoying it. More! More! More!

[Garnet Rose]

Thank you for the encouragement, More Ammo! I need to resize some more of the photos and as soon as they're ready, I'll continue with the story.:)

[Shotglass]

This is a wonderful story and pictures, I sure am enjoying it.:)

[Garnet Rose]

We dressed in our B-Western and cancan duds.

[Garnet Rose]

When I put on my underskirt, Calico asked "Isn't that on inside out?"

[Garnet Rose]

Wig by Miss Tabitha. She provides a wonderful wig matching service if you send her a photo and a lock of hair along with your check.

[Garnet Rose]

We attended the Classic Cowboy Saloon Dance with Syd Masters & The Swing Riders at the Top of The Riv Ballroom.

[Garnet Rose]

It was a lot of fun, but very very crowded. We couldn't get anywhere near the ballroom floor where the costume contest was going on. All we could see were the tops of their heads parading by. We did get to see the Belles, Lizzie Marie and Allie Mo in their cancan dresses. The next day, I overheard Fannie say, "After 3 or 4 tequilas, I really believe I can kick my foot up over my head!" I'm sorry that I missed seeing Sarah Bernhardt's triumph and missed meeting the other Alley Cats that were there.

[Garnet Rose]

Allie Mo, You were smilin'

[Garnet Rose]

I thought Fannie should have posed with this car while in her cancan dress.

Liberace's car
1954 Red, White & Blue Rolls Royce
This Bicentennial Rolls Royce was originally designed for the 1976 Liberace Show where it was used on stage at the Las Vegas Hilton. It was later used at Radio City Music Hall in 1986 for the 100th Anniversary of the statue of Liberty.

[Garnet Rose]

We can cancan

[Garnet Rose]

Don't say you can't can't can't

[Garnet Rose]

You know you can cancan

[Garnet Rose]

You can cancan

[Garnet Rose]

Outside, it may be raining
But in here it's entertaining!

[Garnet Rose]

Don't say you can't can't can't
You know you can cancan

[Doc workday]

I like this thread :noe

[Wallaby Jack]

........me too..., also..., and as well...

[Garnet Rose]

The Belles cleared out their stashes for mask-making supplies. Look at all the yummy things they brought for us to rummage through.

[Garnet Rose]

The class was alot of fun and everyone was very helpful.

[Garnet Rose]

Special thanks to Catawba Kate for letting her kitchen be trashed in a good cause (all of the mask-making instruction slides were photographed there) and for making the plaster forms for us to build our masks from.

[Garnet Rose]

My mask is half and half. Half purple silk fabric from my ballgown and half fabric from one of Catawba Kate's outfits. My decorations are more elaborate than they would otherwise have been because I got input from PMS and Fannie. PMS found the purple ostrich feather background for my peacock feather and showed me how to wrap the display and glue it to the mask. Fannie introduced me to silver glitter paint for around the eyehole (but you should have seen me after class trying to get through the entire casino with the air conditioning blowing the feathers into the wet glue every couple of steps
:-D

[Garnet Rose]

Everyone's masks turned out beautifully! Calico had purchased a Louisiana Mardi Gras mask for me prior to Katrina, so there was no pressure at all for the mask I was making ... I could just do whatever I wanted for fun without being worried whether it would turn out nice enough for the ball. And it DID turn out nice enough. I'm planning a shadow box display for it.

Unfortunately, attending the mask-making class left Calico out of my sight long enough for him to get into trouble and spend money. I understand he had the chance to get measured for and order a custom leather rig due to arrive sometime next year.

We all sang happy birthday to Fannie in the Mask Making class. Afterwards I mentioned to Calico that it was her birthday, so at the first opportunity he wanted to wish her happy birthday, as well, so we stopped in at the photography session and watched them pose with Iron Feather as the lucky man in their midst.

[Garnet Rose]

Calico told the nice people from Major Photos: I want to sit in HIS chair next. Iron Feather kindly offered his knee. Then the Belles regrouped to pose for a Letter From Home (This one from Major Photos was posted in another thread). After the pose Catawba Kate retrieved her kerchief from where she had tucked it in Alli's bustle and thanked her for holding her hankie. Iron Feather piped in with, "I'm gonna set my beer there next time." Alli riposted with, "I'll be sure to add a cooler to my bustle." Ladies, heads up! Fashion alert! Next year's bustle model will include a coozie.

[Garnet Rose]

Later on I was supposed to meet Calico at the SASS Cowboy Action Shooting Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon.

I found myself looking for the guy in the cowboy hat, but they were ALL in cowboy hats!

[Pretty Mean Shawme]

Keep them coming Garnet Rose, I think we are all enjoying your convention memoirs!

[Garnet Rose]

Even with 7 boxes (and one sack of hoopskirt), I found I had neglected to pack outfits for me for two of the days. (I'd done a better job packing for Calico... he still had an unworn neckerchief left over at convention's end). To watch the fashion show I threw on my corset and chemise over a skirt and Sunday I just wore street clothes.

[Garnet Rose]

This little girl was the daughter of one of the vendors (cropped from one of Black Jack's photos. I didn't think to get her to pose for our camera). Isn't she adorable in her pinafore? She was frequently in the audience while Miss Devon was performing. I had caught the tail end of Miss Devon's rendition of "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" one day and regretted that I hadn't heard the entire song. On the last day, I got the chance to request it and Miss Devon obliged. The little girl came running breathlessly to the front row and informed me that this song was from Annie Get Your Gun as she enthusiastically clapped to the beat.

[Garnet Rose]

Western Jam Session with Buck the Big Man & Miss Devon

[Garnet Rose]

The plan was for me to buy food and meet Calico at the stage for lunch. Previous days had not been all that crowded, but there was a greater influx of people for the weekend. I sat down at the tables near the back of the convention hall to eat my hamburger. There were three cowboys across the table from me. One was telling the guy next to him to quit making that noise. "Didn't you hear yourself jingling your spurs through Sandra Froman's speech?" The other guy's response, "It's sounding like I brought my wife with me! And then there's those people who eat in front of you without offering you any." I ended up throwing a pickle at him later in our conversation and his parting remark to me was, "Thanks for the pickle!" I guess for some people, attention's attention (good or bad).

We were pretty packed in our seats for the fashion show, so Calico didn't get a chance to eat his lunch. He tucked it into the plastic sack I was carrying, but when he took off for his next class he took off with my schedule. That's how I ended up in Mounted RO instead of Women's Shooting Techniques.

[Garnet Rose]

You Can't Get A Man With A Gun (Lyrics by that famous cowboy, Irving Berlin)

[Garnet Rose]

Oh, my mother was frightened by a shotgun they say
That's why I'm such a wonderful shot
I'd be out in the cactus and I'd practice all day
And now tell me what have I got

[Garnet Rose]

I'm quick on the trigger
With targets not much bigger
Than a pinpoint - I'm number one
But my score with a feller
Is lower than a cellar
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

[Garnet Rose]

When I'm with a pistol
I sparkle like a crystal
Yes, I shine like the morning sun
But I lose all my luster
When with a bronco buster
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

[Garnet Rose]

The Belles had written their own descriptions of their outfits for Miss Tabitha to read during the show. Catawba Kate's hiking costume had binoculars "ideal for locating wildlife and eligible men". If you noted the bird on the head of her cane in the previous photo "ideal for warding off wildlife and excessively aggressive eligible men" (paraphrased, my auditory memory isn't photographic)

[Garnet Rose]

With a gu-un
With a gu-un
No, you can't get a man with a gun

If I went to battle
With someone's herd of cattle
You'd have steak when the job was done
But if I shot the herder
They'd holler bloody murder
And you can't shoot a male
In the tail
Like a quail
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

[Garnet Rose]

If I shot a rabbit
Some furrier would grab it
For a coat that would warm someone
But you can't shoot a lover
And use him for a cover
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

The gals with umbrellers
Are always out with fellers
In the rain or the blazing sun
But a man never trifles
With gals who carry rifles
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

With a gu-un
With a gu-un
No, you can't get a man with a gun

[Garnet Rose]

A man's love is mighty
He will even buy a nightie
For a gal who he thinks is fun.
But they don't buy pajamas
For Pistol packin' mamas,
And you can't get a hug
From a mug with a slug,
Oh you can't get a man with a gun.

[Garnet Rose]

A Tom, Dick or Harry
Will build a house for Carrie
When the preacher has made them one
But he can't build you houses
With buckshot in his trousers
For a man may be hot
But he's not
When he's shot
Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

(p.s. from Miss Devon: Except in SASS)

[Garnet Rose]

What Miss Devon didn't take into consideration is that in SASS you get a man with several guns (and a cart!)

[Garnet Rose]

The SASS Social Event of the Year includes dinner, dancing, and special guests. Wear your finest and be ready to dance!

[Garnet Rose]

The night's program

[Garnet Rose]

My lady's maid was delayed in his final RO class and I needed some extra hands to do my hair, so I decided to wear my Gibson Girl wig again since I could do it myself.

Fannie's wig article in the Opulent Victorian was very helpful and I find that I
am able to put on a wig with bangs now and have it look natural enough that others have asked if it's my own hair.

Now I need tips for adding hairpieces such as curls and braids to my own hair. Anyone?

Also, how do you make a wig with no bangs look more natural at the hairline?

Here's my mask-making class mask with my ballgown.

[Garnet Rose]

Dinner was delicious.

[Garnet Rose]

The costumes were fantastic!

[Garnet Rose]

The four elements

[Garnet Rose]

Two of the four elements

[Garnet Rose]

The other two of the four elements

[Garnet Rose]

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

[Garnet Rose]

Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!
Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .
Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
on the merry-go-round . . .
in an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .
Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
till you've drowned
in the light . . .
in the sound . . .

But who can name the face . . .?

[Garnet Rose]

Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!
Masquerade!
Seething shadows
breathing lies . . .

[Garnet Rose]

Masquerade!
You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!
Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
peering eyes . . .
Masquerade!
Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!

What a night

What a crowd!

Makes you glad!

Makes you proud!
All the creme
de la creme!

Watching us watching them!


What a joy!

What a change!

What a blessed release!

And what a masquerade!

[Garnet Rose]

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade!
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade!

(and Fannie's was a lovely shade of blue)

Masquerade!
Look around -
There's another
mask behind you!

[Garnet Rose]

Masquerade!
Burning glances (from Tornado Alli),
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles (from Fannie)
around you!
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you

(Sorry, Wind and Earth. The lyrics didn't provide any metaphorical straight line openings for stormy weather or being grounded. ;-)

[Garnet Rose]

Without our masks

[Garnet Rose]

Grand View Victorian Orchestra

[Garnet Rose]

Dance Cards Created & Produced By
Pretty Mean Shawme
The Opulent Victorian

[Garnet Rose]

The inside

[Garnet Rose]

Thanks again to Miss Tabitha for teaching us the dances.

[Garnet Rose]

Calico danced the Reel with Tornado Alli.

[Garnet Rose]

You can really see the rhinestone detail (over 30 gross [4,320 for those grossly impaired ;-)] of colored rhinestones) on Alli's dress in this shot.

[Garnet Rose]

I picked up a few clues for how to dance in a train... thanks, Alli! (Originally, my costume had a full train, but I decided since this was my first ball it would be safer to leave it off).

One of the ladies at our table came up to me while they were dancing and said, "I saw your husband out on the floor and I was looking for you out there." My response was, "Just too darn many loose women around to keep him all to myself!" Thanks, Alli, for remembering where you found him. (Don't worry, ladies. Alli assures me that she "always returns husbands") He did dance the Spanish Waltz and the Last Waltz with me; I was not neglected in the least.

[Garnet Rose]

I thought that I had paid attention to detail when going to the trouble of getting lion buttons to match Calico's mask, but you should have seen the level of detail Fannie and the other Belles put into their costumes.

[Garnet Rose]

Fannie had silver netting for her overskirt, bedecked (pun intended, of course) with starfish and shells. Even the back of her bodice had tiny shells holding the laces.

[Garnet Rose]

I got the idea for Calico's mask from Terry Pratchett's Witches Abroad. Acting as fairy godmothers, the witches change Nanny Ogg's cat Greebo into a man. He enters the ball without a mask and the footman offers him a selection. He chooses a cat mask and says, "I always wanted to be ginger."

[Garnet Rose]

Our Major Photos keepsake

[Garnet Rose]

Who was that masked man?

[Allie Mo]

Garnet Rose,

You really are a gem, pun intended.:re

Loved the photos and captions. :rofl

Regards,

Allie Mo

Oh, I just noticed that you're not done. Cool!

[Sherry B]

Good to see that there is another Pratchett fan out there. I was just brushing up on my etiquette from the Nanny Ogg cookbook.

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Ohhh I LOVE Terry Prachett ( did I just spell that wrong? sheesh!) anyway...LOVE him! I havent read that one yet...sounds wonderful.

[Duzy Wales]

Garnet Rose, :ty :ty for all the pictures and comentary! I have really enjoyed it! I wish I could have met all the AlleyCats and TomCats while I was there. We only did the Thursday night event, went to the Grand Canyon on Friday and saw Vegas on Saturday. I met some of you....but I am like Allie Mo....I wouldn't want to start naming and leave anyone out. I walked up to one woman and ask her name to see if she was Gypsy :fm ! She was really gracious and didn't seem to mind. I just wasn't prepared this year for all the events. Next year, I will start earlier and not be so nervous! I also learned a little of what the "Belles" go through all the time. You couldn't get close to them without camera's flashing (as it should be! :)) of course!

:ty again for all your work and all the great pictures. To those I did meet, I really enjoyed every minute....and like I said, I wish we could have slowed down a little and really met everyone on the Alley. Next year, or the "Belle Bust Out" if you are there....or some event in between.

Duzy :)

[Allie Mo]

Hey Duzy,

I remember you and Longeye. Nice to meetcha!

Big REGARDS (giggle),

Allie Mo

[Garnet Rose]

Good to see that there is another Pratchett fan out there. I was just brushing up on my etiquette from the Nanny Ogg cookbook.
Sherry B, I love the illustrations in the Nanny Ogg cookbook. Especially the page where she's been baking with Casanunda's "help".

[Garnet Rose]

Duzy, When Calico and I were waiting with Allie Mo for her airport bus she mentioned that we had missed meeting you at the convention. Thursday night's saloon dance was just too crowded to get a chance to really visit with anyone. So sorry we missed you.

[Sherry B]

Sherry B, I love the illustrations in the Nanny Ogg cookbook. Especially the page where she's been baking with Casanunda's "help".

HAAA! I had not looked that close. Have you been to the L-space web site?

[Duzy Wales]

Allie Mo, it was a pleasure meeting you too! You were one of the first I recognized! :dc Duzy :)

[Allie Mo]

Ah ha!

I knew people would recognize me because I posted my clothes on this wire. It happened several times during the convention. I'm so glad that it worked out that way.:)

I spotted Nevada Skye from the back clear across the convention hall.

Best regards to all my new friends!

Allie Mo

[Garnet Rose]

HAAA! I had not looked that close. Have you been to the L-space web site?
Haven't been there recently. Guess I should take another look.

[Garnet Rose]

Ah ha!

I knew people would recognize me because I posted my clothes on this wire. It happened several times during the convention. I'm so glad that it worked out that way.:)

I spotted Nevada Skye from the back clear across the convention hall.

Best regards to all my new friends!

Allie Mo
We're glad it worked out that way, too. We wouldn't have known anybody the first night otherwise!

[Duzy Wales]

Garnet Rose, I am sorry I missed you too! It was such a busy night.

Duzy :)

[Allie Mo]

BTT

Seems I read somewhere someone was looking for photos that were in here. :ty for the memories Garnet Rose!

Regards,

Allie

[Garnet Rose]

You're very welcome, Allie Mo!

[Garnet Rose]

Last BTT :bump

[Garnet Rose]

BTT to remind me of what I've forgotten to pack!