June 2002"All of a sudden I'm dizzy."
by Valerie Carino
...
I tried my dress on recently just to make sure my waist isn't expanding from Chicago's signature deep dish pizza - prime cuts of beef and portions to feed a family of four. So far, so good, but I think I'll buy a corset anyway. Ah, to have Britney's boobs, Madonna's arms and Halle's flawless skin.
Depressing.
I started working out the other day and incorporating more vegetables and good fats into my diet. Fish, nuts - all the foods you hate to order in a city known for its scrumptious food. My goal is a reasonable 14 pounds. To be honest, 10 would suit me just fine. But, with all those eyes (200 pairs at last count) watching me, I'm fully freaked out.
Panic struck the other day when my best friend in Dublin mentioned that she and the girls were discussing my hair and makeup during a night of clubbing. "We think Eleanor should do it. She's taken a course in cosmetology and is brilliant at blending colors." Finally, others are bogged down by the details. It feels oddly comforting.
Damien's mother sent the guest list from Ireland the other day. I noticed that his family lives in clusters on the same streets - no matter what city. As an American, I tend to forget that some people never leave their hometown, or would ever want to. The Moloneys, the Caseys, the Shanahans - they come from towns where if you sent a letter without a street address, the postman would hardly need it. Everyone knows everyone. But they don't necessarily know us.
Which is why I added some biographical information on the back of our programs. We included information like when Damien and I met, what his pickup line was, stupid facts to entertain and to embarrass. Blame the writer in me.
For example, Damien has an extensive collection of disco, bad techno and Neil Diamond CD's. To seduce him, I once told him my arm was pictured in the Irish Echo. That was the extent of my mojo.
I've been to weddings where I've congratulated the bride and groom, ate dinner and left without knowing one thing about the new couple. Having experienced that, I think it made sense to draw up a personal collection of tidbits to keep our guests - many of whom haven't seen Damien for years - updated on his life and his new bride.
In the next few weeks, I'll be buying the invitations, a guest book and a corset to push my B's into C's. Add to that practicing more calligraphy, finding more freelance, browsing for wedding bands, collecting more addresses, buying stamps and sticking to my diet.
All of a sudden I'm dizzy.
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