Sunday, February 17, 2013

The President's Inaugural Ball


The President's Inaugural Ball

Recently I was truly honored to have been invited to Washington DC to perform for the President’s 2013 Inaugural Ball. There I had the opportunity to meet and entertain several Recipients of the Medal of Honor. All of them had endured incredible hardships and triumphed over insurmountable odds, yet they were all remarkably humble and happy people with a profound sense of gratitude for life. It reminded me that the challenges we battle must never silence our prayers of thanks because real happiness is an expression of gratitude. -written by Bruce Gold for me-

It was an amazing three day whirlwind. Alan Nu called me up and asked if I would like to be apart of this auspicious event in November. How could I say NO? How often does a chance like this come along? Ok! For some, every 4 years. But for a performer like myself this was something I will be offered only once or twice. I booked a flight, packed three different outfits for the one event and was off.

Let me just say Washington is cold that time of year.

Alan picked me up at the airport and took me to a house where they were having a get together with some of the other performers. We were sideswiped on our way there. The car didn't stop so we pursued it on the freeway. The cars were moving so I could not get a clear photo of the bump and runner. Needless to say while pursuing Alan called the police and they didn't seem happy we were following the guy. I guess police cars are the only ones allowed to have high speed car chases.

After the Performers' After Party I so was exhausted that I made it all of the way to the house of Karen Beriss's parents before I realized I had left my iPhone at the party. Alan was still there and brought my phone to the Ball the next day (he even charged it for me). By the time I got up it was one o'clock in the afternoon (which in Vegas time is 10:00am PST), right on time! Karen and I went to lunch, then back to the Beriss house to get ready for the Inagural Ball. A short car ride, followed by a subway ride into town and a two block walk in 3-inch heels and we were there. They gathered up everyone for photos, then we went downstairs. I had the pleasure of two dignitaries stopping me to take a photo with me. They must have thought I was someone special.

Some of my fellow performers.
The event was filled with Medal of Honor recipients, a truly amazing crowd. I am so glad that Alan had arranged a photographer for his group, because the event photographer only took one photo of me. It was a group photo with the other performers. We were all squeezing in and he asked me what I did, I said magic. To which he replied, "Oh, you must be the girl who jumps out of the cake, because you look good enough to eat up!". There was an audible gasp from the other performers. He later apologized, but took no other photos of me.

The event itself was memorable, the people fascinating. To meet so many Metal of Honor recipients was a profound experience. My magic was a hit, and in the end that was the most important part of me being there. I love to entertain at parties, and this was the ultimate party... to be the entertainment.
Three amazing Metal of Honor recipients. 


2 comments:

  1. You are not only an incredible magician but a magnificent individual. You spoke honestly about the contributions of the guests and nothing about your performance. You walk humbly which is a marvelous attribute. Your life will be blessed with your dreams and hopes.

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