It was only a dream...

And by that, I mean utterly, ridiculously, stupidly delighted with my little world. It is so great to be me.

I love artists. I love the passion, the openness, and the vibrancy that they portray. I love the hum that inhabits their air. I love how very alive it all makes me feel.

Tonight, for the first time in ages, I felt at home in the arts. Without revealing too much about the event, I will simply say that it was breathtakingly beautiful...with a group that has invited me (me!! omg, they invited ME!!) to join them. Yes, there were hundreds of people with too much money standing around looking important. And of course there were odd people with bizarre senses of fashion that were nothing short of amusing. But I sat next to a man at dinner who just finished writing a musical. He used to be a professional circus clown. How often do you come across someone with a resume like that?!

Earlier in the evening, I met a woman whose paintings have been displayed in some of the nation's most prestigious galleries. I don't even remember her name, but she was wearing a brilliant blue dress that matched her eyes. I imagine her paintings show that same ability to draw light from color...

After dinner, the band began playing Latin music, and couples were dancing (I should know more. Was it the samba? Tango? Lambada? I have no idea). Young couples, older couples, waiters and waitresses. Gracefully, gleefully circling each other in front of a wall of windows overlooking the city. They were marvelous. I was entranced. If I was at all graceful, I would have wanted to try it for myself. But it was enough just to watch. I couldn't stop grinning.

The entire evening flew past. Luckily for me, I was accompanied by my dear friend, B...whose calm stability keeps me grounded. Once he arrived, I didn't feel so much like I was going to throw up out of sheer nervousness - or cry out of some unharnessed, overwhelming humility. I bottled it up, and took it home with me, instead...where it can keep me warm tonight. He's a good anchor like that.

It was the music I loved the most. Standing at the edge of the dance floor, listening and watching as people spun past us to the tune of Oye Como Va. Laying here now in my bed, I can still hear the horns and feel the bass in my bones. In my mind, I'm as free and uninhibited as they were...dancing without motion, singing without sound.

I feel like I visited home tonight. I feel alive.

I am happy.