This is a late entry in the winter theme contest, so please vote and vote BIG. I appreciate comments and critique, but please also send them by email contact so I don't miss them.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
"I've been teasing my sweet wife for months that we HAD to start the new year off with a bang, several of them, but I had no idea it might come true. Especially like this. Thanks for hosting an unforgettable party."
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Early that morning, 12/31/2009: "Well, Sue, I hope you're still up for our soiree. The invites went out and the RSVPs came back and they all agreed to the formal attire. No more collegiate type keggers, as you wanted. This is our first formal, grown-up, adult, did I say grown-up, party?"
"Yes you did. Twice. I got it and I know I'm nervous. The food is planned out, the table's already set and it's not even 10 A.M. So anything we eat today will be at the counter, You GOT IT? Seriously, I don't know why I'm so nervous. Four of the six coming are old friends and the other two are their spouses, so why am I so frazzled?"
"Well, I'm not sure, but this may be the right time to try our hypnosis skills to reduce your tension from whatever source. Those classes we took can help quite a bit so I think we should give it a try right away and reinforce it later today. OK?"
"You think this is the right time to experiment? How much time will it take from the day? I.. I.. I don't need the extra anxiety."
"Your choice. You can stay at your current hyper tense level or spend 15 minutes to help you relax. I've never seen anyone so prepared for a party, so that's all good. How do you think our guests will react to your tension? Will it help your party or hurt it?"
"OK. If it will take just 15 minutes now and later. It's important to me that they all feel this is a good party, so I want you on your best deportment too. No beer pong or suggestive games, right? Or do I have to hypnotize YOU to behave?"
"Right, AND you want our guests to actually ENJOY it, right? Let's get started. Come sit in your fav chair. Watch my finger, back and forth. You are already feeling more relaxed. Your eyelids are getting heavy. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Focus only on your breathing, listen to the air flow in, out. Now hear my voice and accept suggestions only from me. You will remember everything that happens in this session. Feel the tension seep down your body, pooling lower and pouring out your toes. Look at the blank movie screen behind your forehead. You are already relaxed. The screen lights up dimly. You see yourself on the screen. You are slowly descending a stairway to a basement. With each step you are going deeper and deeper. When you get to the bottom and open the door there, you will be inside the space of complete relaxation. All anxiety will lose importance and no matter what happens, you will handle it deftly and confidently. Four steps left... 3...2...1. You are ready to open the door. Once you are inside you will realize there is nothing to fear and your guests will relax with you, appreciate all the preparations you made and enjoy your party. Feel the refreshing coolness of your calm room. You will remember everything up to this point. From now on, whenever you hear ME say
SUE SLEEP
, you will immediately return to your calm room and be totally open to my suggestions. If you understand and accept all I said, put your right hand on your left breast. Good. Open the door and walk up the steps. Gently come back to alertness. When you reach the top step you will be fully awake and totally relaxed. Four... 3.... 2... 1... awake. All done honey. How do you feel?"
"OK. Wow, GOOD even. There's really nothing to be anxious about. It's all handled and even if it ALL goes wrong, so what! We'll live."
"Exactly. We even have time for a nooner so you can help ME relax. Then, we'll finish cooking and change into our party duds with plenty of time left." So far so good and the rest of the day went as planned...and with great calm . . . until 4 P.M.
"Al, I didn't make plans for after dinner! What are we going to do, watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' again?"
"NO, NO not that. Let's watch some porn or suggest strip poker instead. Rob and Lee are always trying to peek down or under your shirts and I know you've caught them too. Maybe YOU can be our dessert tonight. I bet you'd like that too."
"Says you! What did I tell you earlier? There are two strangers in the group and you know how I'm easily embarrassed if a stranger sees my privates. But our friends... well I'm wearing a bra for a change so they'll have to look very hard to see anything. At least for tonight, formal wear means conservative. Though I'm willing to tease a little, if you would like to watch that." She can be very confusing!
"We'll see. Let's do your second session then get dressed... conservative ...as you insist. Sit here and
SUE SLEEP.