All time high

Actually, it's the first time I'm this high. I've just returned from a party held after the Mark Webster Reading Series. I had a really strong drink - a Cosmopolitan - made by the host, who used to bar-tend as a professional. I nursed it throughout most of the night, but phew, here I am, a little high (made sure I was fine before driving home though) and half-enjoying the sensation. I'm semi-asthmatic, so I always drink slowly so as not to create an emergency where I'm wheezing in the middle of a party (I thank God I now have a husband who can watch over me and take me home if need be, although he's not here right now, damn it!). Drinking slowly or not, I found myself upstairs in a bedroom among coats and bags, trying to let my head and stomach calm down before leaving the party. I talked to various people in the program, let go of some of my inhibition and shyness and actually laughed rather loudly several times (I hope no one noticed).

I'm glad to be home now though. Somehow I'll find my way to the shower and then to my beautiful, welcoming bed and pillow. And I'll have a good night's sleep.

I've just read a warm email from my friend Mandy, and also called Lin Kiat (to let him know how high I am and that I'll survive), and I'm thinking of a poem by Vikram Seth that my dear friend Mogan introduced to me years ago. Here it is:

All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above -

Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights or one,
And some for all their years.