Dinner with the U.S. Ambassador to Canada

Gee, that sounds impressive! It was one of the nicest evenings I’ve had in awhile. So we (The Shivers and I) get to the hotel and as you know, I was exhausted. I took a thirty minute nap before I had to jump up and get dressed for dinner. I was so stressed out about what to wear. I am so fat these days and it makes me terribly insecure sometimes especially when I have to figure out what to wear to a diplomatic function…

Anyway, I get a ride to the Ambassador’s house and the guests have gathered on the side terrace for cocktails. I go stand in the receiving line so that I could meet the Ambassador and his wife Julie. They are Chicagoans and we hit it off right away. I almost forgot that I was chatting with a true “dignitary” and was actually semi monopolizing him. I believe that I referred to the Ambassador’s wife and I as “broads!” during our obligatory photo op. Ha!

It is very warm and humid on the terrace and I am suffering. I know no one. I never feel out of sorts in a group of strangers but for about ten minutes I felt like a total outsider except for the rapport I had with Ambassador Jacobson and his lovely wife. But it wasn’t like they were gonna be hanging around me all night. I walked around a bit and since I knew that gettin all drunk was not an option, I decided to take photos – that’s what I do. Plus, it gave me a chance to check out the grounds and the house, which is quite grand but not over the top.

Gradually, however, I did find a few comrades to joke around with. Everyone was a CEO or something official. People would introduce themselves:
Hi I’m Joe Blow with blah-blah-blah.
Hi! I’m Lynne Jordan. I’m a singer. My band is performing at the party tomorrow night.

At some point Ambassador Jacobson hinted that he wanted me to sing:
I’m hoping you will give us a number?
That’s where the Band of the Ceremonial Guard comes in.

They’ve been playing backgroud music throughout the cocktail hour on the porch and after all of the guests file into the dining room from the terrace, Ambassador J asks them to play for me. which is cool except for the fact that they are on the front porch and I have to sing for the guests who are seated for dinner -inside the house!

UH… how are we gonna do this? The boys in the band said “count it off and start singing and we will just play as loud as we can and hope you can hear us.” OY VEY! But oddly enough it all worked out. I walked to the dining room and was taken aback – they were all sitting down at their tables just looking at me, waiting for me to perform on the spot. And I did. I sang “Summertime” and wailed. I kept thinking “voice don’t fail me now” as I just went for it. When I finished everyone applauded wildly and everyone wanted to be my friend. Oh this voice thing is such a blessing – especially when people appreciate you the way these folks did.

Then the Ambassador escorted me to his table and the one empty seat. Party on!

My table mates were wonderful. The Ambassador is a great man, appointed by our President to this post. It is awesome to hear someone talk about their conversations with the President, The Queen of England and other dignitaries. Just being at the embassy gives you such a keener sense of “American-ness,” what with all of the emblems and flags all over the place. It is far more meaningful and made me feel a part of this great country in a way in which I have never felt before. Mind you, I am not one of these USA naysayers. There’s a bunch of them around, bitching about what’s wrong with this country and just all around bitching. I find those humans very tiresome. I wonder if even they could be so negative in a setting like this, amongst all these other dignitaries and Internationals…

The food was delicious and just kept coming (five courses)! And the servers (in Black Tie) kept pouring the wine. Whoo hoo! After dessert- chocolate cherry cake, chocolate pyramid and white chocolate ice cream, brushed coulis – and coffee, we went out on the terrace for after dinner drinks… It was after my second sip of cognac that I hit a true wall of exhaustion and came back to my lovely hotel room.

Oh what a night!

Next up: the July 4th Celebration