Last Friday, Joe and I went to the “Christmas Draw” at the Officer’s Mess. It was an absolute blast and has spoiled us for all future USAF “holiday functions.” (Heaven forbid they actually say Christmas.)First off, a bus picked us up in Ely. No endless speeches about “having a plan” or forcing people to be DDs. Just get on the bus and we will bring your drunk butt home later. Brilliant!
When we got off the bus, Santa and his elves were there to greet us, along with two actual reindeer! The one posing with us is called “Comet.” Isn’t he cute!
As we walked into the mess, carol singers were singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Unfortunately, this is where I lost Joe. He stayed outside to sing “O, Come All Ye Faithful.” I am sure he would have stayed out there all night if I had not gone to fetch him, but I digress…
Anyway, the foyer was filled with people all dressed in their finest black tie apparel. Waiters circled about with glasses of champagne and a variety of appetizers. On each side of the room, there was a cooler of beer and hard cider, free of charge. Now this is a party!
Then, we went to the dining room for dinner. Dinner was Beef Wellington with potatoes and vegetables. It was actually quite good, but the interesting part was how they served in. Rather than bringing out plates ready to go with the food already on them, they sat the plates on the tables and then a waiter came around with platters of meat and vegetables. Also interesting was the fact that there were no rolls or water on the table; just plenty of red and white wine. No point in even trying to stay sober.
After dinner, we went into a room that was strictly for coffee, liqueurs, and mince pies. My favorite! In fact, my favorite part of the evening was when I set my empty coffee cup down on a table, and when I looked again someone had replaced it with a platter of mince pies. I am pretty sure heaven has a room like that also.
In another room (there appear to be many), there was a chocolate fountain and casino games. Joe said that the games actually weren’t all that great, but I don’t know because I was too busy making myself sick on white chocolate. At one point, Joe came over with his squadron commander. He was going to introduce me to his wife, but then they realized that we were already standing next to each other at the fountain. Nothing brings women together like an opportunity to fatten themselves up.
Anyway, the foyer was filled with people all dressed in their finest black tie apparel. Waiters circled about with glasses of champagne and a variety of appetizers. On each side of the room, there was a cooler of beer and hard cider, free of charge. Now this is a party!
Then, we went to the dining room for dinner. Dinner was Beef Wellington with potatoes and vegetables. It was actually quite good, but the interesting part was how they served in. Rather than bringing out plates ready to go with the food already on them, they sat the plates on the tables and then a waiter came around with platters of meat and vegetables. Also interesting was the fact that there were no rolls or water on the table; just plenty of red and white wine. No point in even trying to stay sober.
After dinner, we went into a room that was strictly for coffee, liqueurs, and mince pies. My favorite! In fact, my favorite part of the evening was when I set my empty coffee cup down on a table, and when I looked again someone had replaced it with a platter of mince pies. I am pretty sure heaven has a room like that also.
In another room (there appear to be many), there was a chocolate fountain and casino games. Joe said that the games actually weren’t all that great, but I don’t know because I was too busy making myself sick on white chocolate. At one point, Joe came over with his squadron commander. He was going to introduce me to his wife, but then they realized that we were already standing next to each other at the fountain. Nothing brings women together like an opportunity to fatten themselves up.
Joe and I moved on to yet another room, where a cover band was playing and people were dancing. At some point, they stopped and all the women gathered in the middle of the dance floor. Balloons were released and the women scrambled over each other to pop balloons. Some of the balloons had big prizes inside. It was like being at a wedding where the girls actually want to catch the bouquet.
All in all, it was a fantastic night. I had not had fun like that in a long time. Fortunately, I won’t have to wait too long. Apparently, there is a Summer Ball, which is just as fun as the Christmas one…except that they bring bumper cars and mechanical bulls.
All in all, it was a fantastic night. I had not had fun like that in a long time. Fortunately, I won’t have to wait too long. Apparently, there is a Summer Ball, which is just as fun as the Christmas one…except that they bring bumper cars and mechanical bulls.
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