I was in charge of NYE activities this year so I chose Gatsby’s House again. I’m a huge Great Gatsby fan and the Roaries Twenties fascinate me as my grandparents lived through it. I know it’s a mixed period since the Republicans left the world in the ditch as they always do, yet it might be a guide for what may come after the current Pandemic ends. The Twenties resulted in great social upheaval: women doing numerous things they weren’t allowed to do in public before WWI; the weight-loss movement starts America’s invention of the teenager is a beta; radio; jazz (the original outlaw music), film stars; and car culture.
As you can see from the photo above, Jennifer got all decked out as a flapper thanks to Amazon offering a whole package. Definitely saved her time and effort, I’ll leave it at that. Me, I just kept the same suit because I didn’t plan ahead enough to get something even stronger for the time period. You may notice, I’m pressing the limits on my vest’s buttons. Hey, it’s an improvement. Last year I couldn’t close the damned thing. Next year, Scotty won’t be warning the vest’s Kirk, “I don’t think this garment can take any more pressure!” I plan on it to be smooth while I have a new setup and a different color, something closer to what the decade had.
The celebration held at one of Austin’s numerous downtown hotels was decent. It utilized one a huge ballroom which they segregated from the VIPs, all they did was get food beyond nachos. An open, unlimited bar was all I asked for my money. There were two things I wish the promotion company did differently to make the experience better.
Firstly, if the attendee isn’t in period-appropriate attire, then they better be wearing upscale club as it’s termed. No fat slobs in a knit shirt with shorts (yes, he was there); no idiots who resemble a Venture Capitalist (blazer, open dress shirt with jeans and sneakers, at least one); no sneakers, I will allow women an exception for later since their shoes were designed by sickos; women receive more leeway overall since they know how to dress up. My camp, we don’t wise up until too late in life. I didn’t take any photos of the people who knocked it out of the park, just too private a matter for everybody involved. There was one couple who was amazing. Others who don’t adhere, they pay an entry tax!
Secondly, they need to hire a better DJ and/or be closer to the period music. I readily admit being pretty ignorant of Jazz; I can’t get behind most, I was brainwashed by Pop’s conventions; but they brought in some asshole from Vegas. He played mostly the crap you’d hear in most clubs today. Yes, I know, being 53, no one gives a rat’s ass on what I want to hear yet the DJ needed to remember what to skew to based upon the crowd and mood. If the schlub didn’t state his name I would’ve sworn it was Baz Luhrmann playing the horrendous selections he used to crap on Fitzgerald’s novel. Another request turn it down somewhat, I hate needing people to shout at me in order to be understood. I’m not that close to deaf…yet.
Overall we had a great time! I got my value via booze. I was buzzed this time and enjoyed doing nothing for the majority of New Year’s Day!