Challenge 1 – Ashleigh Bin Field

(real entry is back <—- way)

I admit, I was nervous as I pulled up to the party at Asheligh bin Field’s but….

Life is a series of unexpected circumstance, and I was determined to make the best of it.  Besides, I was as gay as gay could be, a gorgeous democratic socialist on my arm – I was in the company of arguably the most beautiful woman there, and really – there wasn’t much to compare her to.  Are there any drop dead gorgeous republicans?  It’s a rare species, that.  But, dressed to the nines, she straightened my bow tie with a flourish and a cocky grin that sparked like the necklace at her throat.  “just make the best of it, love” she whispered, her hand finding mine in the long walk up to the mansion.  I was disappointed, really, with the lack of valet parking.

            We were greeted at the door by the hostess herself, full of ire and sparkle, I could see the capital letters flashing like exclamation points in the tightness of her smile.  Perhaps the rainbow vest was too much, but who was counting?  With the weight of wordly issues spinning around the lightness of love we entered.  We were served sparkling wine while exploring the tour of the gun racks, marked with targets and bulls-eye bravado.  It was fabulous really.  But ever the gracious host, Ashleigh led us around – although the introductions of “these are my two friends.  You know.  The gay <i>democrats</i>” like it was a dirty word, but said in good fun.  I’ll never forget the looks we got that night.  I’m not sure if it was the spontaneous dancing in the middle of a speech, where we just couldn’t contain ourselves, or the jumping into the foyer fountain for an improv of “singing in the rain” that did it, really.  But it was a blast.

“so this is how the other half live” I thought to myself, wondering how my life had twisted, which turns of events and choices and menageries had led me from that place to this, when the world collided in a spark of shooting stars, galaxies spinning far out of motion and then collapsing in upon themselves.  When the night was over, we sat down for a chat over coffee – tea – coffee…I couldn’t really tell, though tea would have been appropriate, given the circumstance, and I was surprised once again, by the depth of a person I know only through capitalized commentary, a cut and paste news wire full of over-emphasis and punctuation.  The truth is, we’re really not that different all.  Same present.  Different wrapping paper, all tangled up in ideas and thoughts.  We think the same, really – just come to different conclusions, with a difference of opinion on the process. 

Its strange, sometimes, how people will surprise you.