Well, Saturday was another one of those days on this Adventure that I said, "I just can't believe my life!"  Had a rip-snortin' session on Teamwork and Team Sabotage for the very participatory and very bright group attending the American Escow Association conference.  Seriously, we had 4 teams that scored the MAXIMUM amount of points on my exercises.  This is higher than usual by a long shot.  I appreciated them and it certainly appeared mutual.  I'd join them again at a conference any old time.

The rest of my Reno stay was like something out of royal fantasyland.  Portland diva and performer extraordinaire POISON WATERS was doing a command performance at the Fire and Ice Ball at the Reno Hilton.  So I got togged up, waltzed into the ballroom like I had right good sense.  It was fantastic to see so many familiar Oregon faces--made me feel like HOME couldn't be too far away!  Meesha Peru was doing the dropdead gorgeous blonde-in-white number very effectively, Maria was already up on stage sharing the MC'ing, The Retro Rose Emperor ShelleY was royally attired and then there was the Sterling Rose Empress 44 Poison Marie Waters and I can't tell you what she was wearing because she kept changing.  Look for photos soon.  I had to get my film processed the very next day! There was also the guy who looks a tad like Eddie Murphy and everybody assuming I was going to "walk."  What?  Well, girlfriend, it's like this:  you are lesser royalty so you have to go first.  Huh?  The Portland contingent gathered back stage and at the proper moment we were to walk the length of the runway INDIVIDUALLY and be "presented" to Emperor Paul Anthony and Empress Trixxxy at this, their coronation celebration.  I'm new to all this and in the dark (literally), Eddie Murphy says, "Just walk out there like you're Miss Universe."  Getting into the spirit of the "well, girlfriend" thing I turned (just as they announced my title:  Empress of Ladd-Reingold) and said, "You mean I'm NOT?" 

So I did the walk and did a klutzy bow gesture and congradulated the royal pair--most sincerely since they were like two ultimately gorgeous specimens of human, ah, development.  They gave me The Pin which is just slightly smaller than a drink coaster and has glitzy things in it which I will cherish forever since this was my first "walk."  Sort of a dash plaque you can wear. 

Protocol dictates that the highest go last, so this, of course, meant Her Royal Highness in Abundant Charisma Poison (that's just the title I gave her).  How she got all the looks cards, plus the extrovert cards, plus the funny cards, I'll never know.  But whatever she's got, I'm not the only one who responds to it.  The place lit up when Poison came out in her signature purple formal and I'm serious, people lined up all along either side of the runway just hoping some of the magic would sprinkle down on them too.  (Out in the hallway, Poison couldn't even walk 50 feet without kids begging for photographs with her.  She graciously obliged every request.) 

I dropped a small fortune (well, enough to have an engine overhauled anyway) on a necklace and earring set and it was Poison who glued the heavy, drippy earrings to my head so I wouldn't lose them on the parade walk.  On my glitziest day I can't hold a candle to these professional glitter queens.  The most beautiful crowns I've ever seen this side of England's Crown Jewels.  No exaggeration. Where do they SHOP?  I must know.  After six hours of presenting courts from Tumwater to Tijuana, my blood sugar was in the basement around midnight.  Had to struggle on those spikey black heels thru the Hilton casino to the front landing strip.  Someone pointed at me and said, "There's one of THEM." 

Me?  Now I've received awards in my life but this one was a very special one.  My head is going to be so big I won't be able to get it back into my leather flying helmet.  I got a triple shot of rhinestones/big hair/busts and after weeks of looking like wadded up road lint, I REALLY needed the Fire and Ice Coronation.  For more info on what this scene is all about, and where you might be lucky enough to see Poison Waters next, go to:

www.poisonwaters.com
www.rosecourt.org

and start making plans for attending PEACOCK IN THE PARK at Portland's Washington Park amphitheatre Sunday June 30th.  The show starts at 2:30 but you need to get there about two weeks in advance to get a good seat.  If you're not in Oregon, well, plan on dropping everything you're doing to see this spectacular show ANYWAY.  Isn't it about time you did a road trip of your own?  This is as good an excuse as you need.

Speaking of which, time for me to get on the plane and fly back to Billings, Montana and pack up Seno for the last portion of this journey.  I am awfully glad now that the weather did NOT permit me to drive the roadster to Reno.  It was the only road (the desert) that I wasn't looking forward to and the 90+ degree heat would have done me in permanently.  So the Universe had a MUCH better plan.  Now I can take a more northerly route back to Oregon.  Plans are:  leave Billings, Montana and head for Yellowstone on Tuesday, June 18.  Stay tuned.