When I first asked Tom about Gaskell, he simply told me, "The first rule of Gaskell is you do not talk about Gaskell. The second rule of Gaskell is you DO NOT talk about Gaskell." Well, we eventually talked about it. Originally, we were slated to attend the August Gaskell Ball, but I have some complications in my schedule. (No way I ain't taking BART alone!) Anyways, Gaskell is a Victorian style ballroom dance in Oakland. It comes around every two months. Tom says the Halloween Gaskell is tons of fun since it has as masquerade theme. To look the part, I decided to go as Soletta Orihime from Sakura Taisen (last year's Halloween costume).

Tom and I BARTed over to Lake Merrit. The directions on the map were not very coherant to Tom's collective memory of the area. We saw this one girl who was headed over to Gaskell, so we all walked together. We finally reached the Masonic Center! Yay! Tom and I had a few dance lessons before the ball. Re-learned some basic steps and some new steps. It was also great to see Katie again! I haven't seen her in AGES! XD I also met Tom's high school friend and her boyfriend as well.

The dance went rather well. I'm used to dances were I'm doing my own thing, but doing something with some structure was interesting. It took me a while to get the Virginia Reel and the Flirting Dance right. There was this one charge dance that gave me foot injuries. ^^; Yet, overall the ball was splendid. I'd do it again. Thanks Tom! ^_^

Oh, and I have tons of pictures of some of my favorite costumes at Gaskell too! Can't forget that. ^.~

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