Got through Xmas OK, put the ghosts back in the drawer, but now comes another challenge, a texted invite to a New Year’s party with costumes in a 70s theme. Now when I think of the 70s and I don’t very often, here’s what comes to mind: Vietnam, Nixon, Watergate, Patty Hearst, Jim Jones, George Moscone and Harvey Milk.
I know, not exactly a party but I was shooting news back then.
But when most people think of the 70s, the first thing that comes to mind is disco.
I’ve lived this long without wearing a white suit and think I can make it the rest of the way, but these opportunities don’t come along very often and shouldn’t be missed, besides, if I don’t do anything I won’t have anything to write about. I’m not making this stuff up, you know.
So I’m on my way to Perpignan with my brain running faster than my Twingo. I’m thinking Nixon mask, but I don’t want to scare the children; I could be Sonny and hope that Cher shows up; Ike looking for Tina; Garfunkel wondering where Simon went; Paul searching for John, George and Ringo.
At the party store, there’s not a Nixon mask to be found; there may have been other celebrity masks but I didn’t recognize them, instead there are themes. There are pirates who almost look like Johnny Depp but not close enough to get sued. There are a few old hippies looking worn and almost forgotten and a bit of punk with messy hair and torn jeans; I could do that but everyone would think I didn’t bother to dress up. There are some highly stylized long hair wigs that might be seventies, but looked more like Park Avenue scion trying on being bad. And there are afros, many afros in many lengths and colors: modest Jewish guy afros; pink, green and yellow I don’t know why afros; and black afros, some with beard and mustache to complete the look. I’m thinking Sly Stone without the rest of the family but it doesn’t really matter, the hair’s the costume.
Party time. I had to bag the beard and mustache since I already had my own but I added some polyester and bling to complete the look. And it was a very generous party indeed: Champagne, oysters, foie gras, truffles, red wine, duck, desserts, cognac. Eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, I think I had a good time. It went on until 5 AM or maybe later, I couldn’t really tell you. In fact there’s not much more I can relate, but through the magic of autofocus, I can show you.
Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image.
