Thanks, everyone, for your pre-dance support with helping me choose a dress. I did, in fact, opt for the red. That was my preference, as well, so it was great to get such a resounding response. You really know how to prop a girl up.

It was fun to see a crowd that I normally only see in jeans (and, occasionally, in business wear) all dressed up. Who knew we cleaned up so well? And, as one friend remarked, how many other places can you ride public transportation in your formal gowns and suits and not have people think it odd?

We all gathered for a pre-party over on Capitol Hill, where most of our group of friends attending the ball live. It was nice to be able to meet up with people ahead of time, so you (I) didn’t have to worry about getting to the event and wondering where everyone else was.

The ball was, well, not especially ball-like. It might have been better described as “A formal political function featuring Mayor Fenty with musical interludes provided by various local D.C. entertainers.” The music was good; it just wasn’t really anything you could dance to, at least until the final performer of the night took the stage. Someone performed the national anthem, for goodness sake!

The funniest part of the night came when we were waiting in a mass of humanity waiting to be allowed through the metal detectors into the ballroom. One friend wandered off in the other direction for a minute and called back on his cell phone to let us know there was another entrance. We scurried to the other end of the convention center to find absolutely no wait and no one manning the metal detectors. I set it off by carrying my purse through it, walked back through, expecting to be asked to leave it behind so I could go through unimpeded, and then realized that no one was even paying attention. I guess all the good security was working the original side.

But the food was good and the evening made for some terrific people watching — particularly seeing what the crowds were wearing. And the company was great. I think we’d all get dolled up and go out again, but it just might not be to a politician’s “dance.” I suggested bowling, but I think others might have been thinking more along the lines of a club or a meal. (Perhaps this just reflects my blue-collar-hometown upbringing. What can I say? Our town boasted no movie theater for a couple of decades but still maintains two bowling alleys!)

Unfortunately, I seem to be coming down with something, because I’m just wiped out. I was home shortly after midnight when I promptly fell asleep on the couch (complete with makeup and contacts). Yesterday I had a hard time dragging myself off the couch because I felt utterly drained and lethargic. Today I’m congested and achy, so I’m staying home in hopes of nipping whatever this is in the bud before it turns into something more serious. In fact, I’m going back to bed right now.