I showed up to the Pacific Realty's annual fundraiser wearing my semi-signature tie-scarf, and was told by my mother that I looked like one of the bartenders. I fixed it, and then she said I reminded her of a Communist schoolgirl. This was, unfortunately, the highlight of the evening.
Galas, and schmoozing in general, make me feel unclean. There's the slow moment of horror that drops like a waterfall, as you step off the escalator in your favourite 'business formal' and realise the hundred tables at the Hyatt are going to be filled with loud, drunken, rich realtors and their Chinese associates (i.e. family). Five bars in the foyer alone, each staffed by 2 bartenders and a girl with a cash box; a silent auction that ranged from 6 nights in Kuala Lumpar to a SFU Pipe Band CD. And many, many people who wouldn't even be quiet to listen to a man talk about his son's battle with cancer, or why raising money for the B.C. Children's Hospital is more than an excuse to get dolled up and oogle Malaysian dancers over Chinese food.
Isn't there something wrong with throwing a huge party for rich people to get them to donate money? There's something counter-intuitive there, right? Counter-intuitive to me, in any case; my sister and I spent the early part of the evening devising efficient ways to intersperse handouts and booklets to avoid having to go back into the ballroom.
I don't know what my point is. I'm not trying to moralize or vilify people who like a good party, I just feel unclean. Maybe I'm just feeling guilty that I didn't personall thank our waitress at the end of the evening -- she did a great job.
Galas, and schmoozing in general, make me feel unclean. There's the slow moment of horror that drops like a waterfall, as you step off the escalator in your favourite 'business formal' and realise the hundred tables at the Hyatt are going to be filled with loud, drunken, rich realtors and their Chinese associates (i.e. family). Five bars in the foyer alone, each staffed by 2 bartenders and a girl with a cash box; a silent auction that ranged from 6 nights in Kuala Lumpar to a SFU Pipe Band CD. And many, many people who wouldn't even be quiet to listen to a man talk about his son's battle with cancer, or why raising money for the B.C. Children's Hospital is more than an excuse to get dolled up and oogle Malaysian dancers over Chinese food.
Isn't there something wrong with throwing a huge party for rich people to get them to donate money? There's something counter-intuitive there, right? Counter-intuitive to me, in any case; my sister and I spent the early part of the evening devising efficient ways to intersperse handouts and booklets to avoid having to go back into the ballroom.
I don't know what my point is. I'm not trying to moralize or vilify people who like a good party, I just feel unclean. Maybe I'm just feeling guilty that I didn't personall thank our waitress at the end of the evening -- she did a great job.
