How to make your friend faint (or need a smoke)
December 7th, 2006 RachelHere’s a selected transcript from a recent IM with one of my best pals (and bridesmaids!)…to set the scene from my point of view, I had just arrived in Vegas on Monday — Al was at work, so understandably in a different mind space.
Rachel: I found a dress!
AH: where did you find it? What does it look like? Details woman details!
Rachel: BCBG – black with ivory trim with black lace overlaid on top of the trim…kimono style, sleeved, v-neck, loose, elegant, shiny, COMFORTABLE, but stylish
AH: it’s black?
This is where I first started to hesitate. Black is bad? Since when? Have I committed a Billboard faux pas and didn’t know it? Hence my justifying below…
Rachel: there were some trendier items that actually looked quite amazing but for that much money I wanted it to work at a business thing, at mod…whatever
AH: long or short
Rachel: just past the knees
AH: nice…can’t wait to see the pictures
Rachel: i’m so excited!!
Insert a bit of conversation that lasted long enough for me to not pick up on why Al would be talking about bridesmaid dresses all of a sudden. Seemed random, but she’s an attentive friend and a darn fine bridesmaid so it didn’t surprise me that much.
AH: so what’s the plan for the bridesmaid dresses… they should probably be knee length, or just below the knee…
Rachel: yeah, that’d be about right - remember no air conditioning, so floor length might be too hot
AH: Is your mom ok with the non-traditional dress?
Rachel: non-traditional?
AH: you know what I mean… white… long….
Rachel: i haven’t picked a dress… :^)
AH: i’m really confused
…This is where I stared at my computer for about three whole minutes trying to understand how we got here…
Rachel: OMG I was talking about the dress for tonight…HAHA…I just realized where the confusion lay
AH: OK… gave me a heart attack
Rachel: that’s why you were like “it’s black?”
AH: Dude seriously… gave me a heart attack…
Rachel: I’m dying…that was too funny
AH: “I can re-wear it at MOD” comment…holy crap…I was actually sweating…I love the dress, but not for your wedding
Rachel: you are SO nice - i can’t believe you weren’t strangling me through the computer
AH: I was trying to find a way to suggest changing into that dress after the ceremony…that way you can dance…I think I actually need a cigarette
Kids. Don’t try this at home.
Love you, Al. 
