No one's a stranger on New Year's Eve

I just had the best New Year's Eve EVER. Yes, I know I'm prone to exuberance, but I mean it... really.

Our typical New Year's Eve is that of a boring middle-aged couple. Staying home with movies on the DVD and a bunch of junk food in our bellies. Poor John kisses the cats at the stroke of midnight because I'm asleep.

This year, however, we decided to go out. So we spent a stupid amount of money to attend a party at the Hyatt Regency. Why? Hello! Our favorite band, 7th Heaven, was playing there. First thing I did a few days before was to go in search of a new frock. I don't wear dresses much. It's not that I object to dresses. I like them. It's a panty hose thing. Me in panty hose is like an animal caught in a trap. I'd almost be willing to chew my legs off to get a break from the discomfort. But I wanted to be festive. My go-to store is Filene's Basement (bow your head when you say that name), and it did not disappoint. Ding-ding-ding... tried on three dresses and the first one fit perfectly and I loved it. Better yet-- $24!! I also scored a new dress shirt and tie for John so that we'd coordinate-- which he promptly rejected when I brought it home in favor of a shirt that is, in my opinion, not as stylin'. Ah, but he's a Taurus. Whatever.

We took a cab there. Some anxious moments on my part. I'm phobic about being late to anything. If it starts at 8:30, I want to be there at 8:15. Cabs were hard to find but we got there only a few minutes late.

The buffet food was tasty and I enjoyed people watching. Then the music. Oh, the music! Those of you who know me know that I'm really passionate about this band. So much so that they should pay me. If you're in Chicago, go see them sometime. If not, check out the videos on their website at http://www.7thheavenband.com/.

A 7th Heaven concert is a full contact sport. Watch out, ladies and gentlemen, I played hockey. And I'm not shy. I know where I want to be... right up against the stage and I ain't moving for no one or nothing. Of course, it helps to have a husband who is 6'2" and 230 pounds to run interference.

They played 4 sets and it went on and on. Pure bliss. Joie de vivre to the max. We met some nice people and partied like it was 2010. I once ran a marathon and it was pure agony. Dancing all night in high heels is the inner circle of agony. I screamed like a groupie (I am) until I couldn't talk any more and I don't expect to regain my hearing til some time in April. I adore these guys. They're so talented and gosh darn, so cute. My favorite is Nick-- when he does Your Love, I go into orbit. John has a bit of a man-crush on Mark, the bass player. Mark's signature is to play barefoot, so I'm convinced it's a podiatry thing.

Usually I hate crowds and get very nasty when someone's in my personal space, but all kinds of violations occurred and it didn't bother me in the least. When I pondered that aloud to John, why I was cool with it, he offered this bit of wry wisdom-- "boys and booze." I'm not a big drinker-- it gets me dizzy and sick and I'm afraid of it, so I only had two glasses of wine. I think I was high on the night, the people, the music. Happy 2010, everyone.