Lily the Pink
It’s the annual ‘do’ at the British High Commissioner’s residence this evening; an occasion for British people to gather on a fragrant lawn, drink gin and natter about the old days of the Empire. As you might imagine, last year the lawn was strewn with old ladies in Laura Ashley making small talk about their dogs, besuited British businessmen, and slightly pissed VSO volunteers. At least, they were slightly pissed when I left. I hear that they soon moved on to very pissed, which may account for the curtailment of this year’s festivities to two hours instead of four and a half.
This time last year, I had just fallen headlong into a love affair with my ex-bloke, who, although a Kiwi, was invited along to the function. Because I am clearly a disgraceful unwashed plebian, as the country director of a British NGO he felt that admitting that the two of us were an item would damage his reputation as a fine upstanding member of the commonwealth, thereby rendering him incapable of doing his job. He arrived without acknowledging me, spent the afternoon flitting about being important, and then tried to sidle up to me unnoticed to whisper in my ear that he was about to leave, and could I leave it five minutes before following him out. God knows why I put up with such ridiculous behaviour in hindsight. Ah, love is blind.
This year no-one will be able to sidle up to me unnoticed. I have made sure of this by dying my hair pink in a fit of barefaced stupidity at the weekend. I don’t know what came over me – I think I just needed to do something I’ve always wanted to do at a time when it wouldn’t much matter.
I think I like it; most people I know like it (including, rather surprisingly, my boss) but the effect is rather startling. I hope they let me in. My identity crisis could do with a G&T right now.
October 31st, 2006 at 3:06 pm
Pink a la Lily Pulitzer? Will you post photos? I think this may actually create the opportunity for someone to sidle up to you unnoticed, as attention is likely to be drawn to your hair rather than your surroundings. I hope the High Commissioner will have the good sense to oblige your need for a G&T. Please do let us know.
October 31st, 2006 at 8:35 pm
definitely agree with bill. photographic evidence a must, preferably against the backdrop of a swathe of laura ashley skirts and blazers..
November 1st, 2006 at 8:58 am
Photos photos photos!! Frankly I am stunned that you managed to find the means to do this in Windhoek…
November 1st, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Bill, I don’t know. I was thinking of Lily the Pink’s medicinal compound - she was the saviour of the human race, you know.
Unfortunately, the laura ashley skirts and blazers were just too much for my camera, and it refused to take photos, but they are on their way. Honest.
Clare - Windhoek is very cosmopolitan now, dontcha know! I was lucky though - they had only half a bottle of pink dye left.
November 3rd, 2006 at 2:21 am
This posting took me back to the annual Australia day party at said embassy in Bangkok. Being the Australians, it was at least one year the ambassador who had to be wheeled out.
Another year, however, it was me who spent the whole party running - since a Thai middle-aged man with whom I had worked perfectly amiably and professionally throughout the year suddenly (I think alcohol was involved) decided he wanted to make me his (mia noi) minor wife.
I’m blaming you for reminding me of this!
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:45 am
Ha - brilliant! Alcohol has so much to answer for…