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Oh, What a Night

An evening of bathroom humor — though not in the way you might think

 

If you are ever presented the opportunity to discuss your bikini-area laser hair removal, family events where you saw your grandfather in boxer shorts and your parents driving through a car wash naked in front of a large group of people who you are then quite likely to run into at the local grocery store … I enthusiastically recommend doing so.

As a matter of fact, it is exactly what I did last Thursday night at the Vale Schoolhouse as a guest of Vale Club for an event that raised money for FamilyPASS. And I don’t mean to brag, but in those couple hours, we raised a tiny fraction of a percentage of a million dollars for the charity.

Because this was my first presentation as a humorist and that alone didn’t make me nearly nervous enough, I decided to up the stakes by inviting everyone I know. It was a bit surreal and kind of felt like I was at my own funeral when I looked out into the audience and saw people from all different stages of my life: former coworkers from four different jobs, neighbors, a college sorority sister, the Dilettantes, my mother-in-law and even a friend from elementary school.

Just before the event began, I excused myself to use the restroom in the schoolhouse, and the friend I was talking to said, "There are a lot of women in the restroom right now." I asked, "Oh? There’s a line?" and my friend replied, "No. There’s actually a group of women hanging out and chatting in the restroom." (There were. And they were drinking wine. And I immediately lost any nerves I had as I realized this was a group of people who would totally get me.)

And I have to say, from the moment it all started when the lovely Jeannine Miller gave me an introduction that was so nice I again felt like I was watching my own funeral, the entire evening was a blast — which might be surprising, considering I have now likened the event to a funeral two times.

Thanks to everyone who attended, laughed in all the right places, asked hilarious questions and made me feel so welcome. I'd chat any of you up in the ladies' room any time.

I'll even bring the wine.

About this column: Kathleen Canedo lives in Oakton with her husband, Tim, her 7-year-old daughter, Avery, and two orange cats who love her most when she is wearing black. She writes the humor blogs www.Brutalism.net and www.DilettanteClub.com. You can keep up with her on Twitter at @BrutalismBlog. Related Topics: At Home with Brutalism, Dilettante Club, FamilyPASS, and Vale Club

Alex Craige

11:12 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Glad it was such a big hit - sorry I couldn't attend :(

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Justine van Engen

11:35 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I may be mistaken, but I heard you touched famous men at this event. Care to comment?

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Trish Strat

12:19 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

All touching occurred prior to the event...

Kim Underwood

11:38 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

It was truly great! I sense larger venues (still with wine-swilling women in bathrooms) in your future!

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Adriana Hall

11:41 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

so sorry I missed this! I was really looking forward to it. Hoping for a next time!

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Trish Strat

12:05 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I don't think there has ever been that much laughter in the Vale Schoolhouse! More wine, yes. Laughter, no. Thank you so much for coming!

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Nicole Trifone

12:49 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Thanks for adding that photo, Trish! And yes, you should definitely have a guestbook in the bathroom!

Kathleen Canedo

8:28 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Alex - I know. Sorry you weren't there. Next time...
Justine - I can neither confirm nor deny.
TStrat - Just saw that you confirmed for me. Excellent!
Kim - So glad you made it. Perhaps I could be like the Bloggess and just hold court in the bathrooms from now on...she may be onto something.
Adriana - Is it the touching of men or convening in the bathroom that sold you on it?
TStrat - Thanks for inviting me - and I think we should work on evening up that wine/laughter ratio...
Nicole - That is a great idea...

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