heathervescent: December 31st, 2006

Remember how I said I wanted to kick ass in 2006? I thought I had that goal slapped down back in May. And then just a few days ago I enumerated a whole lotta ass kicking. But it really came down to the last day of the year. If 2006 before December 31 was ass kicking, then December 31st blew the paradigm out of this world.

It all started on Friday, when I joined a bunch of my friends at a summer camp near Cambria. We moved into our shared cabins, decorated them and headed to the lodge. Someone broke out a keg of Cider (my favorite) and the party started. Food poured forth from the kitchen. Pork Curry was bubbling on the stove, cakes, lasagna, three coffee makers, a tray of baklava, chili, sandwiches, cakes, chocolate brownies and mini carrot cakes. The day was gorgeous, sun setting on twinkling ocean. The moon rising into a clear blue sky. Wedding vows that made me cry. Being at a party of over 100 people where I knew almost everyone. Feeling just as comfortable in a black velvet suit, a banana suit or pajamas. I have never experienced anything like this before. I don't even know how to describe it in words, only the activities.

Sometime after midnight I learned a new meditation technique from Isa, that completely blew my mind. A couple hours later I dragged myself off to bed. Hours later I awakened and headed down to the lodge. About 3pm I teamed up with Zarka and Jane for the annual Gigsville Iron Chef competition. We were given the secret ingredient, but not told what it was. It was a small dried flower - a spice - related to the pepper plant. So Zarka, Jane and I got down to work! I got to work on a spice cake. Jane worked on polenta sausage spiced cornbread. Zarka got down on the quail deviled eggs. We also had spicy filet mignon, amaretto spiced milk and bechamel fennel spiced pasta.

There were two other teams and I admit, I was worried. All the teams were running around in the kitchen furiously for two hours. And then it was judging time. We ended up going last and we blew away the judges taking first place. Thanks to my two kick ass team mates!

Then I immediately rushed off to the fireplace chill area where I was doing my heart's desire workshop. I was frazzled and high from Iron Chef and hot from the fire. But there were 20 people waiting for me and as I started more people showed up. The class was great. I had great questions, everyone got the 6 steps and I was rejuvenated refreshing my mind. Wow. Mind blowing.

Yet the night was not yet over. I hurriedly changed into my evening attire (flannel pajamas) and hurried back in time to get slot #4 in the no-talent contest. I had only a faint inking of what I would do. You see, I had this roll of yellow tickets left over from Barcamp earlier this year, and I wanted to do something with it. So I handed out the tickets, making sure that everyone got one and that it was very important for them to have them for later. Then I enjoyed the festivities. What fun.

At some point, Tawney and Mercury and I ended up with the roll of tickets in the bathroom and that was when the insanity began. What happened next just happened. By the end of the night we had crammed 20 people into the tiny bathroom with us - one came in through the window (that delighted me the most!). There was a footprint on the ceiling. It was the clown car of bathrooms.

I don't remember when that day ended and the new year began, but I do know, that is the most fun I have had in my entire life.

And although that was the end of 2006 - it was also the beginning of 2007 - already well on it's way in it's own direction.

* photo by Wicked Elmo of me icing one of 4 cakes I made last weekend