GNO #3

The ladies of Theatre West met again last weekend at Leslie's amazingly designed-for-comfort but totally cool home in the valley. They've met a few times since the first get-together (see post "Girls Night Out" October, 10, 2009) - this makes the third I was able to attend. The purpose for last night's gathering was to celebrate Jane's and my birthdays.

(Now I hate it when someone provides a photo and no one is identified - so in case you're wondering, sitting (from left to right) are Seemah and Shelia. Standing: Cyndy, me, Elise, Jane and Leslie.)

You should know that I really don't make a fuss about birthdays anymore. A little cake, a card, and good night. Jane, on the other hand, owns the entire month and this marked the 4th week of full on party for her.

I arrived and there were balloons galore inside the house. We all sat outside in the lovely courtyard and everyone had brought food to barbecue - and once again it was wonderful to sit amongst a group of creative, smart, comfortable women and just fill up on stories.

Empty bottles of wine and sparkling water piled up and throughout the evening and amidst loads of laughter, we learned that Sheila just finished shooting another episode of Mad Men, Leslie is working against a deadline on a screenplay for FOX, and Cyndy (who, by the way, stood up for Bob and me at our wedding) is enjoying a respite from international work related travel. Also on hand was Elise, who held theatrical court and improvised the beginnings of a new play about Seemah's famous brownies. The legendary Saint Seemah of Theatre West - unquestionably the most gorgeous 86 year old woman who ever lived and baker of brownies worthy of inspiring plays - was also there. Jane - in full birthday spirit (a full month later!) shared a recording of her supremely talented son, John David (aka Aiden Moore of the band Carney) as well as a terrific song she wrote that is currently being shopped around. Missing were Vivien who lives too far away and is tending to her family farm between acting jobs and Anne who, back from standing at the very edges of the Grand Canyon (there are anxiety producing photos to prove it),was nursing the effects of kidney stones.

Oh and me. Working mom from Thousand Oaks.

It is reasonable to assume that having been out of anything really creative, theatrical or cultural for a very long time, I might feel a bit like a duck out of water. But happily, on nights like these, I find it all still runs thick in my veins so I settle in as though I'm moulding myself into a chair made of memory foam.

So what makes a group of women like this so fascinating and fun to be with? Apart from the fact that they are all fairly fascinating and fun in and of themselves, I think it also has something to do with the fact that we don't do it every day. Not that I couldn't see these women more frequently. I really do like them all. But there is something about occasional get-togethers that make the getting together feel more like events. Worthy of a photo or two. Or three. Everyone lets their hair down a little bit more. Everyone listens to each other a bit moreand reveals a bit more. And that all makes for an evening that's a little more memorable.

When we all got down to the birthday business, a cake with both Jane's and my names came out with candles. Cards were issued; mine had dinosaurs on it so you can guess the joke... And then they handed me an envelope. They had collected funds for both Jane and me (and I'm sure a little besides) and put it in one pot and gifted it all to Ehlers Danlos Network CARES for continued research that will benefit my girls. It was a significant and meaningful check. And buckets spilled from my eyes and I was, for once, speechless.

Watching the remainder of evening unfold, I couldn't help but conjure the ghosts of all of us 20 plus years ago, side by side with who we are now. And it is very gratifying and validating. We all turned out. And as Elise said: "There is a play here somewhere." And wouldn't that be fun!

I also experienced, for the first time, a birthday tradition of Jane's. If you are NOT the birthday girl, you can take a ring from your finger and drop it over one of the burning candles. If the birthday girl blows out all the candles - you get your wish too. There was something very sweet and kind of magical in seeing everyone work a ring off their hand and contribute to the cake. It was aglow with candle light and adorned with gold and silver and diamonds. We waited until everyone had their wish and Jane and I did not disappoint. We blew them all out. But had we not, they would have been covered because my wish was that all of their wishes would come true.

Lovely, lovely people.